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Big Gods: Extended prosociality or group binding?

Luke W Galen1

  • 1Department of Psychology,Grand Valley State University,Allendale,MI 49401.galenl@gvsu.eduhttp://gvsu.edu/psychology/luke-galen-110.htm.

The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 8, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Big God concepts increase group loyalty but not cooperation with strangers. Research shows religion boosts within-group cohesion, similar to secular factors, rather than universal prosociality.

Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Religious Studies

Background:

  • The concept of 'Big Gods' is often linked to enhanced prosocial behavior.
  • Prosociality is typically understood as cooperation extended to all individuals, including strangers or out-group members.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine the association between Big Gods and prosociality.
  • To differentiate between within-group parochialism and universal cooperation in religious contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of experimental studies investigating the effects of religious beliefs.
  • Comparative analysis of religious and secular factors influencing group behavior.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests that religious beliefs, particularly those involving 'Big Gods,' primarily enhance within-group parochialism (group cohesion).

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  • This effect is not reliably associated with increased cooperation towards strangers or out-group members.
  • The underlying psychological mechanisms for religious and secular group cohesion effects appear to be similar.

    • Conclusions:

    • The purported prosocial effects of Big Gods are better characterized as increased in-group favoritism.
    • Religion's influence on cooperation is largely confined to the in-group, mirroring secular group dynamics.
    • Future research should distinguish between parochialism and universal prosociality when examining religion's social impact.